Why Stop With Eliminating the Extra Point?

By

Joe Queenan

March 14, 2014 8:40 p.m. ET

The National Football League just might eliminate the extra-point kick after a touchdown. Last year, the kicks succeeded 99.6% of the time, suggesting that from a competitive standpoint, they're completely useless. Traditionalists are talking about moving the perfunctory extra-point attempt 22 yards back to the 25-yard line, increasing the odds that a kick will be blocked. But wholesale abolition would make more sense. Even the NFL commissioner is thinking seriously about it.